Category: bali
Must go Places to eat in Bali
Ubud
Cilantro
The first day at Ubud we were fully exhausted by our river rafting session in the afternoon and also because of the night journey previous night from Singapore. While walking down the streets of Ubud we came across this lovely restaurant Cilantro
Cilantro serves Mexican cuisine and we both are diehard fans of Mexican cuisine. The restaurant was super cosy and dim lit; perfect for a candle light dinner. It’s two storied building and has cosy corners in the first floor and an open space balcony which was beautifully lit.
We preferred to sit in the balcony area and theta one of the best decision we made that day.
We ordered the below dishes
And an honest review to all the dishes is its super authentic and really delicious.
The price was reasonable and the quantity was good.
Buddha bowl
One of the major reasons for visiting bali was to actually taste the famous smoothie bowl. This is first restaurant we visited which served us a really refreshing smoothie bowl. Very satisfying indeed.
The price is reasonable and the quantity is good.
Acai bowl
We were just not satisfied with one smoothie bowl that night so we came across this small outlet which served Acai smoothie bowls. We had no clue what Acai was but apparently Acai is a berry which is found in Brazil and super rich in antioxidants whoahhh that’s something NEW!!
Well the taste was super amazing; had a little sour taste blended with sweetness.
The desserts are on an expensive side as compared to the quantity.
Teba sari
We were super hungry after our visit to Alas harum and this restaurant is the closest to the park. Again, one of the best decisions taken on the day. This restaurant is no less than a resort in itself .The souring feels like you are in a jungle.
We ordered the below dishes
The ambience of the restaurant is mesmerising and absolutely photo friendly
Note : if you are a vegetarian please ask the ingredients in any dish they serve because we found prawns in a chutney which was served with the starters and if you are allergic to something please specify that to them.
The staff is very welcoming and jovial and we were very happy with their fast service.
The quantity of the food was very less and the price was way too high.
Paperboy
We wanted to have smoothie bowl again and we landed to this place at night while walking down the streets of kuta.
Paperboy offers you with amazing food, friendly staff, photo-booths and lovely ambience.
Everything we tasted was super tasty and beautifully presented. For the /smoothies the price was worth it but for rest of the items it’s on an expensive side.
Crumb and coaster
If you ever visit Kuta don’t miss this place this is truly a gem and we found out this one accidently when we were super hungry and had our brunch there. After having the food we wished we had come here every day for breakfast.
This place is mostly recommended for breakfast and brunch and they have different menu for each meal. So take turns nod visit this place multiple times if possible.
The price is worth it for the quantity and the taste.
New delhi Indian restaurant Kuta
This restaurant was just located in front of our hotel so we chose this as we were super hungry and wanted to have something quick.
We had Chaas, Egg biryani and paneer chilly and the food was good nad reasonable too. For someone who craves Indian food can visit this place for a quick bite.
Ganesha ek sanskriti
The last night in Kuta we decided to have something Indian and we don’t know why we chose to have dinner from this place. The food was very expensive, the quantity was below satisfaction and the service was very slow and we had to cancel few dishes which we ordered.
The reviews are great about the place the ambience is beautiful other than that we were really disappointed.
All these are our reviews for the places we had our food from.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations which we have explored Click here
Best Things to Do in Bali
Spa
A Bali trip is incomplete without a spa time. You definitely should try it. They have some of the most relaxing and cheap spas you can ever imagine. The quality of service is truly appreciable. WE took a couple package and it was really amazing. At first, we were sceptical about it but after having the massage we were more than satisfied and it’s worth the price you pay.
Visit a waterfall
Bali is known for having numerous waterfalls and beaches and that’s why in every nook n corner you can find a very beautiful waterfall. While researching we came across loads of suggestions about waterfall and at the end we chose Tegunungan because it was near to the place we stayed. The waterfall is very beautiful and the water is cold and clear. The only problems were the end number of steps which was easy to climb down but will take your life climbing up. Also what we felt is this waterfall was too crowded.
To read more Tegunungan waterfall
Enjoy in the beach
The best destination to watch the sunset and one of the most beautiful sunsets we have witnessed is in Kuta beach. The beach is super crowded during the sunset and the weirdest part was the crowd just vanished after the sunset and the beach was all empty.
The seashore is very beautiful and you can see the flights landing in Bali from the beach.
The beach is lively with tourists and have loads of resorts nearby which are beautifully lit for the night party later on.
Also there are loads of drug dealers roaming here n there and they are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists
Explore Ubud market
Ubud market can be called the shoppers heaven because you get so many varieties of things including bags, clothes, home decor items etc at a very cheap price. Also if you are good at bargaining then it’s like the cherry on the top.
The main reason you will get confused is everything looks so pretty that you will feel like buying it all (but you can’t of course)
The best part about the items are it made by the local artisans and is sold at a a very cheap price and the quality of the items are pretty good.
The same things get super expensive (almost double the price) and commercialised because most tourist prefer Kuta than Ubud because its near to the airport.
Eat Healthy
There are lots of healthy food varieties in Balinese cuisine also you get fresh fruits everywhere. So relish the Healthy food varieties . Main point here is it helps you with adjusting with the tropical climate fast and also keeps you hydrated.
We would always suggest you to have local and seasonal fruits of the country.
What to eat in bali ? and Where to eat in bali? Well these are our recommendations
Have a walk in the rice terraces
Rice terraces are the best way to enjoy the nature in Bali also to know more about the locals and the lifestyle. You can spend some time in the peaceful rice terraces.Dont forget your sunscreen!! as its super hot during the daytime.
We visited Alas Harum Agropark for this experience and it was really worth visiting this place
Bali is a place which is a hidden gem the more you explore the more you will discover. So we would advise you to at least stay for a week in Bali.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations which we have explored Click here
Kuta
Kuta is famous for its hippie vibes and usually attracts the youngers tourists because of its night life. Kuta has become a synonym of bail’s nightlife. The city is beautifully lit and tourists are seen parting hard in every nook and corner of the city.
Disclaimer: Its a waste place for tourists who don’t drink or party ( guys you can choose ubud )
Kuta beach
The best destination to watch the sunset and one of the most beautiful sunsets we have witnessed. The beach is super crowded during the sunset and the weirdest part was the crowd just vanished after the sunset and the beach was all empty.
The seashore is very beautiful and you can see the flights landing in Bali from the beach.
The beach is lively with tourists and have loads of resorts nearby which are beautifully lit for the night party later on.
Also there are loads of drug dealers roaming here n there and they are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists.
Kuta night life
Kuta is really famous for its night life and the shopping places. Tourists come here to party and relax. You can find plenty of resto pubs and and night clubs. There is no time limits in certain clubs and the party goes on till sunrise too.
Our favourite restaurants
Paperboy
We wanted to have smoothie bowl again and we landed to this place at night while walking down the streets of Kuta.
Paperboy offers you with amazing food, friendly staff, photo-booths and lovely ambience.
Everything we tasted was super tasty and beautifully presented. For the /smoothies the price was worth it but for rest of the items it’s on an expensive side.
Click here to know what to eat in paper boy
Crumb and coaster
If you ever visit Kuta don’t miss this place this is truly a gem and we found out this one accidently when we were super hungry and had our brunch there. After having the food we wished we had come here every day for breakfast.
This place is mostly recommended for breakfast and brunch and they have different menu for each meal. So take turns and visit this place multiple times if possible.
The price is worth it for the quantity and the taste.
Some Indian RESTAURANTS
New delhi Indian restaurant Kuta
Ganesha ek sanskriti
Click here to know the review of these two restaurants
Personally we would visit Kuta only to visit Paperboy and Crumb and coaster and nothing else. We loved the food and the service from these two restaurants.Also we would recommend you have non spicy food during your trip.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations in Bali which we have explored Click here
Tegunungan waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is located at the Tegenungan village, in Gianyar, which is close to the artist village of Ubud. The waterfall is isolated but has become a popular tourist attraction and is mostly crowded because of its beauty.
The best time to visit the waterfall is in the morning as it opens by 6:30 am and closes by 6:30pm. There are almost 200 steps to reach the waterfall from the parking lot. The parking is free and the is no entrance fees.
Climbing back the stairs is little tedious as the step are very steep.There are washrooms and changing rooms if you want to change to your swimwear.
The waterfall area gets quite crowded after 10 am. Also, there are few photo booths if you are Instagram frenzy.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations in Bali which we have explored Click here
Why bali
Bali has always been fantasized for its natural beauty and picturesque beaches. Bali is romanticized to be the best honeymoon place for any newlywed couple and also for someone who loves to enjoy a tropical Hawaiian feel in an affordable destination.
For us too Bali was nothing less than a paradise for being the newly wed. We had so many expectations for this place and Bali was far beyond our expectation in terms of beauty and adventures.
We reached Bali in the morning by 8 am and after all the immigration process was done we decided to check-in to our hotel in Ubud .
There are two most famous cab /scooter services present in Bali Grab and go jek. Both are pretty reasonable and its recommended that you download their respective apps before reaching Bali.
What we would suggest everyone is think what kind of a trip you want to experience and then choose your pitstops because Bali offers many different segments of experiences namely religious, adventurous, nightlife, paradise, wildlife and for each one this the cities you have to choose are totally different
For us it was more of adventure and to enjoy nature so we chose Ubud and Nusa penida
To know more Click here
9 Things to be careful in Bali
The local cab drivers
The local cab drivers can charge you a lot as compared to the cab drivers from grab or go jek. You have to be very careful when it comes to paying them . We recommend pay only by meter.
The street dogs
The street dogs go little furious when they see new people coming in their territory and can chase you sometimes. This mostly happens at night and morning are quite safe for tourists who are scared of dogs (Stay indoors t night as dogs don’t like intruders)
The drug peddler
If you visit Kuta and you don’t come across a drug dealer every now n then, that’s not Kuta then. You can find them everywhere. They are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists. You can deal with them at your own risk.
The deserted streets at night
The streets in Ubud becomes very deserted after 9 pm at night .We are not talking about marketplace but the residential areas and the streets. These streets can be reason for criminal activities.
The scooter vendors
The local scooter vendors are very cunning and they can give you scooters without brakes, without helmet and without even the legal papers of the bike which is very dangerous when it comes to police asking you for the same if by chance you get caught by them. Also have the contact details of the person from where you have taken the bike
The police men
You don’t find many of them on the main roads but the chances are if you get caught by police officers then you may be charged a fine if you don’t have a driving licence, helmet and official papers of the vehicle you are driving. Also have the contact details of the person from where you have taken the bike
Be careful about the road conditions in Nusa Penida
The road conditions are pathetic in Nusa Penida actually there are no roads we could say and the sides of the roads are covered with big boulders so you have to be very careful when you ride a bike.
The local water
It is advised to drink packed mineral water because the water may not suit you in the beginning and why to take a risk when you are going for a vacation.
Be careful with food (for vegetarians)
So, for vegetarians the variety of food is less and also you have carefully read the menu card for description and if not described in menu do ask before ordering anything because most of the cuisines have oyster sauce or prawn in them. WE experienced a similar instance where we were served a chutney which had prawns grinded in it and Akhil is allergic to sea food so only when we mentioned about our allergies is when the waitress told us.
Shopping in bali markets
Bali is famous for its handicrafts and the artisans and craftsmen are very dedicated and creative in terms of the variety of products they offers and also you will not get the same design in different shops so be ready to be amazed by the intricacy and detailed art.
If you like some unique designs do check below items
Silver jewellery
Silver lovers will go crazy when it comes to the detailing and intricacy in the silver jewellery and you can get customised designs in some shops. Balinese silverwork tradition is very ancient.
Bali rattan bag
Handmade in Bali from the ata plant (aka rattan) the Balinese artisans use the leaf ribs and stalk of the plant to weave these beautiful bags. After they have been woven, they are dried and smoked in an oven to create their distinctive colour. You get wide variety of option in terms in shapes and designs on them.
Furniture
Furniture are made with natural fibres, including cane, sea-grass, water hyacinth and banana leaves are durable, beautiful and sustainable fibres that are smooth to the hand and naturally very attractive to the eye, making them a good choice from a functional and contemporary design perspective.
Handlooms
Visiting bali and not getting an authentic Ikat and Batik fabric outfits will be a miss. So, the handlooms in bali are very beautiful and is a must buy.
Ceramics
As the artisans are very creative and detail oriented their ceramic work is very intricate and worth buying. They have mirror work and beadwork ceramics which were very unique.
Slogan boards
You can find lots of slogan boards of various sizes and shapes .Some slogans are even painted and carved on surfboards. Mostly the boards are wooden/ ceramic have all kinds of Hippie quotes on them.
Wooden items
Markets are filled with numerous wooden items ranging from culinary items to sculpture. Each and every item is unique and can’t be found in the next shop. Talking about the sculptures they have a very surreal inspiration to them. I was awestruck looking at the beautiful sculptures
Incense sticks
You can get a wide variety when it comes to homemade incense sticks and each one is eco friendly and natural.
Beachwear
As Bali is famous for its beaches and water sports definitely you can get some really aesthetic beachwear. Tie dye, batik, floral prints are the most famous ones.
Dreamcatchers
Bali is usually associated with hippie culture; so, the presence of dreamcatchers is obvious. You can find a wide variety of dreamcatchers in various sizes and we bet that you won’t buy just one because it’s so unique and beautiful you would go on and on while selecting them.
Bath necessities
When it comes to bath necessities, where everything is claimed to be organic and sustainable, you can find wide varieties of oils, soaps, shampoos and moisturisers. Scented candles are also among top selling items.
Macramé home decor
Macramé is a form of textile produced using knotting (rather than weaving or knitting) techniques. Though macramé was one of the 1970s crafty trends (often involving owls), has a long, rich history as both a decorative and functional art form and today macramé is back in flavour, revitalized by modern makers who are putting their own stamp on this age-old craft.
Slippers from flippers
We can’t stop promoting the brand specially for flip flops because they are trendy as well as sturdy and even helped us during a trek at Nusa Penida. This brand is totally recommended if you love flip flops. Their collection will suit everyone taste and is reasonable too.
Hotel review Bali
Places where we stayed
Pecatu guest house
This beautiful and cosy homestay is situated in the middle of the city and all the places in and around Ubud is accessible from this homestay.
The rooms are spacious ,neat and beautifully decorated.
The homestay is surrounded with trees, flowers and has a in house stream with koi fishes in them. The owners are very sweet,kind and welcoming. We had a very comfortable stay . The beast part about this homestay was the homemade pancakes and the balcony view from the room.Also they have a swimming pool at their second floor which is a great place to realx.
We definitely recommend this homestay to all our readers.
We booked our stay via booking.com
Tusita hotel
Tusita hotel is situated in the centre of Kuta city ,its very close to the airport and Kuta beach.The hotel is okay and the services are good. The rooms are spacious and normal with no view at all.
The reason we chose this hotel to stay is only because of the convenience to reach the airport.Other than that you can always choose to stay in an homestay.
Kuta is on an expensive side and we found this place also little expensive as compared to the place we stayed in Ubud. The best part about the hotel was its swimming pool area.
We booked our stay via booking.com
Nusa penida
How to reach Nusa Penida?
You can get a fast boat from Sanur port which departs mostly in the morning 8 am and returns at 5 pm in the evening. It takes about 90 mins from Sanur port to Nusa Penida. The cost depends on the type of ferry you have chose.
Places we visited in Nusa Penida
Crystal beach
We decided to visit crystal bay first and we rented a scooter from a restaurant near the port itself and it took us 20 mins to reach the beach. The roads are pathetic and you have to be very careful while driving in these roads. Basically, there are no proper roads and there are small boulders on either side of the road, so if suppose you fall down chances are you will get badly hurt.
You have a parking space just near the beach and there are no charges for it.
The beach is famous for snorkelling and if you are planning to stay in Nusa Penida for a day or two please go ahead and enjoy this activity.
The beach is very beautiful and you can find of corals, crabs and other nudibranchs on the beach. The water is very clear and you can see corals very easily.
NOTE: when you are inside the water be very careful because the coral actual hit your feet and can hurt you badly which actually happened with us.
Th beach has been recommended for being among one of the beat sunsets beaches as its west facing.
You may also find some parasol shaded sun beds available by the locals.
Kelingking beach
Every person who visits Nusa Penida definitely has a picture in this place. To tell you the truth this place is just not hyped but its naturally very beautiful and a must visit beach.
It takes about 35 mins from crystal beach to Kelingking beach and roads are super messy as mentioned earlier and make sure you have petrol in your bike because there are no petrol stations in between , you may find some local shops selling petrol in plastic bottles but cannot actually guarantee what they are.
As soon as you reach the beach there is parking space for bikes and its paid. You have to walk a few kms to reach the view point of the beach.
After reaching the view point, we felt like going downhill and witness the actual beach.
I really don’t know why we thought like that but it was the best experience of the day.
We started climbing downhill wearing flip flops. In the beginning there are steps so we thought how difficult it would be to go down. Later after some time the steps vanished and there were barely any steps but only rocks.
These steps are extremely steep, uneven and can get very slippery after rain.
This is a difficult hike and you definitely need decent shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water. There are closely 800 steps to climb down and the height of the cliffs from top to bottom is over 200 meters while the hike is said to be about 400 meters down the narrow cliff ridge.
Halfway we actually thought about climbing back because it was super sunny but something inside us told us to continue and we did it!!!
It took us close to an hour to climb down and the beach was so beautiful it took all our tiredness away. The waves very rough even at 1 pm we couldn’t imagine how it would be in the evening. The beach closes by 3pm because the waves almost covers the entire shore.
It’s worth climbing downhill but only if you have the energy and water to climb uphill.
We noticed some smoke coming from the mountains it was actually water vapours becoming clouds mesmerising view it was.
Its definitely very tough!!
We took more than an hour to climb uphill and we were damn exhausted, tanned and dehydrated. We literally took bath one bottle drinking water each. Had our lunch and left back to the port because our boat was scheduled by 4 pm
Harrytinkers tip
- Wear trekking shoes if you are planning to go down hill in Kelingking beach. Flip flops are not at all recommended even though we did it but we would not recommend
- Carry enough water and hydrate yourself
- Have a first aid kit handy because you can get hurt either by the bad roads, corals in the beach or while trekking.
- Have enough petrol in you bike as there are very few petrol stations.
- Have proper breakfast and lunch as you would need energy to explore the island
- Carry the contact number of your ferry crew because you never know when you might need help.
- Carry sunscreen and apply it in every 3 hrs if possible, otherwise you can get terribly tanned.
Try something which challenges you , its the best way to explore yourself
Harrytinkers
Harrytinkers travelog 